Automatic drain device for liquid circulating systems



June :3, 1941. c. A. SHOPE 2,244,266

AUTOMATIC DRAIN DEVICE FOR LIQUID CIRCULATING SYSTEMS Filed Jan. 28, 1939 CZVOE' 4 6770 5 5.9 54 INVENTO ATTORNEY Patented June 3, 1941 sis AUTOMATIC DRAIN DEVICE FOR LIQUID CIROULATING SYSTEMS- 8 Claims.

This invention relates to an apparatus ordevice for automatically draining water from the cooling systems of internal combustion engines when the engines stop.

At the present time many oil wells are being pumped 24. hours per day, and during freezing weather it is necessary to keep an attendant on duty continuously to insure against damage due to freezing in case an engine stops running for any reason. By using one of my automatic drains on each engine this danger is eliminated, and it is not necessary to keep an attendant on duty continuously, which represents a considerable saving to an operator who operates a number of wide spread wells.

The chief object of the invention, therefore, is to provide a device which permits free circulation of water through the cooling system of an engine without loss of water therefrom, during the operation of the engine, but which automatically drains the water from the cooling system when the engine stops for any reason, and which feeds water into the cooling system when the engine is again started.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of this class which, when used on an electric ignition type engine, may also be used to automatically break the ignition circuit when the engine stops for any reason, thus preventing the dissipation of electrical energy from its source.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of this class which may be connected in the engine cooling system to be responsive either to the water output of the cooling system pump, or to the exhaust gases of the engine.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of this class which will drain the engine cooling system proper but which prevents the drainage of the water reservoir or source of water supply.

A further object of my invention is to provide a device of this class which. not only has these special attributes, but which is also possessed of the usual attributes of simplicity, cheapness of manufacture, and reliability.

The details in the construction of a preferred form of my invention, together with other objects attending its production, will be better understood from the following description when read in connection with the accompanying drawing, which is chosen for illustrative purposes only, and in which Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view of a preferred form of the invention:

Figure2 isa perspective view of one part of the device illustrated in Figure 1;

Figure .3 is a diagrammatic view illustrating one manner of. connecting the device into the cooling system of an engine;

Figure 4 is .a view similar to Figure 3 but illustrates a different. manner of connecting the device into the cooling system of an engine;

Figure 5 is a perspective view of a valve look-- ing device which is a part of the invention; and

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view which particularly illustrates. a different relative position of valves than is illustrated by Fig. 1.

Like characters of reference designate like parts in all the figures.

Referring to Figure 1 the invention comprises.

a casing made up of superimposed sections, designated. as a whole by the numerals 5;, 6, and I, these sections being preferably secured together by means of threads as shown, but may be secured together by means of flanges .and bolts in case it is desired to make them in some shape other than cylindrical. To prevent leakage the two joints are fitted with gaskets 8 and 9, and I0 and H, as shown.

The casing is divided into an upper valve chamber l2, apressure chamber 13, a central or inter mediate valve chamber M, and an outlet chamber H5. The chamber l2 is provided with an outlet opening I 5, and communication between the two chambers i2 and I3 is afforded by a shouldered central passageway H. The sidewall of the chamber I3 is provided with an inlet opening for a tube 18, while its lower end wall is provided with a packing gland IQ, of any suitable construction, through which a valve stem 2Q reciprocates without permitting the passage of fluid from either of the chambers E3 or Hi into the other.

The sidewall of the chamber l-i is provided with an opening for a liquid inlet tube 2i, and its lower end wall is provided with a central valve seat 22 which surrounds a port 23, which port aifcrds communication between the chambers l4 and I5 when the valve head 24 is not seated. The valve stem 20, in addition to carrying the valve head 24 intermediate its ends, carries a valve head 25 adjustably secured on its upper end. This valve 25 is preferably spaced a sufficient; distance from the valve 24 that when the latter is seated on its seat, the valve 25 is spaced slightly above the shoulder in the passageway H, as shown by the dotted lines, thus closely restricting the passageway but not completely closing it. On its upper surface the valve 25 is provided with a plurality of spaced upwardly projecting lugs or ears which are adapted to contact the upper end wall of chamber l2 as the stem moves upward, and limit the upward movement of the stem 20 and its valve heads, without greatly restricting the flow of liquid out of the opening I6.

I provide a tube 26 to afford communication between the chambers l3 and I5. Thus when the valve 24 is seated, water which drains into the chamber l2 may pass through the partially open valve into chamber l3, from chamber l3 through the tube 26 into chamber 15, and to the exterior thereof through a valve 28. The chamber I5 is provided with an outlet opening for connection with a tube 21, and is also provided with a drainage opening which includes a valve seat for seating the valve head 28. This valve 28 is mounted on a stem 29 which extends through the drainage opening to the outside of the casing. On the inside surface of the lower end wall of the chamber 15 I provide a bracket with a perforation in its upper end for pivotally mounting a lever 3|, as illustrated. One end of this lever 3| is pivotally connected in a similar manner to the valve head 28, while the opposite end of the lever carries a flattened plate 32 which is positioned in alignment with the valve stem 20, and is adapted to be contacted by the lower end thereof before the valve head 24 seats on its seat.

As an auxiliary attachment only, I provide a make and break switch designated. as a whole by the numeral 33, which may, of course, be of any suitable construction. As illustrated, this switch includes a case adapted to be secured to the exterior of the lower casing section 1. Terminals 55 and 51 are electrically connected to stationary contact elements 58 and 59 respectively, all being insulated from the case 55. A cross arm 60, for electrically connecting the two contact elements, is pivotally mounted within the case 55, its pivotal axis being a stationary pin 6|. This cross arm is integral with or rigidly connected to an operating lever or arm 34, the free end of which is pivotally connected in a suitable manner to the valve stem 29. When the valve stem 29 moves to the lower end of its throw, as shown by the solid black lines in Figure 1, the arm 34 moves the cross arm 60 to a position of contact with both switch contact elements 58 and 59, closing the switch. When the valve stem moves to the upper end of its throw, as shown by the dotted lines in Figure 1 and by the solid black lines of Figure 3, both ends of the cross arm 60 are moved away from their respective contact elements, and the switch is opened. The case 55 is. of course, closed by a plate (not shown) the operating arm 34 being afforded movement by means of a slot thru the side of the case. This switch is useful only when the entire device is used in connection with an electric ignition type engine. in which case it is connected in the engine ignition circuit. as illustrated in Figure 3. When the device is used in connection with pressure or heat combustion engines which do not use electric spark ignition, as illustrated in Figure 4, this switch 33 is superfluous, and its removal does not in any way effect the operation of my automatic draining device. Its use, even with an electric ignition type engine, is entirely optional.

Operation Figure 3 illustrates one manner of connecting, the device into an engine cooling system. In this figure the engine proper is designated as a whole by the numeral 35, a water pump by the numeral 36, a water supply and cooling tank by the numeral 31, and an ignition battery by the numeral 38. The tube 2| connects the tank 31 with the chamber 14 of my device. The tube 21 connects the chamber l5 with the pump intake, while the tube !8 connects the pump exhaust with the chamber [3. A tube 39 connects the chamber l2 with the lower end of the engine water jacket, and a tube 40 connects the upper part of the engine water jacket with the tank 31.

When the engine is not running the weight of the stem 28 and its two valve heads, 24 and 25, keep the valve head 24 seated on its seat, and the lower end of the stem 26 holds the lever 31 in the position shown by the dotted lines in Figure 1, and the lever in turn holds the drain valve 28 off its seat. Since the port 23 afiords the only outlet for liquid from the chamber 14, it is not possible for water to drain out of the tank 31 when the valve head 24 is seated. With the various elements of the device in the positions just described, an electric circuit controlled by the switch 33 would be open, because the switch arm 34 would be at the upper end of its throw, as shown in Figure 3, and also by the dotted lines in Fig. 1.

When it is desired to start the engine, the valve stem 29 is pulled down manually. This movement seats the valve 28, closes the ignition circuit 4!, pivots the lever 3| which in turn lifts the valve stem 20, and partially unseats the valve head 24 permitting liquid to flow from the chamber l4 into the chamber 15. When the engine starts the pump 35 sucks water from the tank 31 into chamber l4, through port 23, into chamber 1 5, through the tube 21, and delivers the water into chamber I 3 at such a rate that the water passing through the passageway l1 and into the chamber I2 forces the valve head 25 into the position shown in Figure 1, completely raising the valve head from its seat, and completely opening the port 23. All this happens almost instantly after the engine starts. Naturally the water in chambers l4 and I5 maintain the valve 28 in a closed position, and so long as the engine is operating, there is no leakage. The water is forced from the chamber [2 through the tube 39 to the engine, and back through the tube 40 to the tank 31, from which it is recirculated through the cooling system.

When the engine stops for any reason, the delivery of liquid into the chamber l3 stops and there is no longer any fluid pressure on the lower surface of the valve head 25 to maintain that valve and its stem 20 at the upper end of their throw. Hence the stem 22 gravitates downward to the position shown by the dotted lines in V Figure 1, and the valve head 28 is unseated and the valve head 24 is seated. Water is thus free to drain out of the chamber l5 through the unseated valve 28. Since the valve head 25 does not actually seat on the shoulder of the passageway |1 water is also free to drain out of the engins into the chamber [2, into the chamber 13, thence through the tube 26 out through chamber l5. Water from the pump 36 is also free to drain out through the tube 21 and the chamber I5. If the switch 33 is being used, the stem 29 breaks the ignition circuit by moving theswitch arm- 34 upward, and with the circuit broken the battery energy cannot possibly be dissipated. The switch arm 36 is shown at theupper end-f its throw in Figure 3. 1

Thus it will be seen that my device automatically and; completely drains the; entire engine cooling system, with the exception of the reservoir or tank, immediately after the engine stops running, regardless of the cause for the stoppage. 1f itis desired to prevent the device from draining the system, because of a desired tern-- porary shut down or the like; I suggest" the use of a slotted collar 42 (Figj );;which may' be slipped around the'projecting end of theivalve stem 29, and which is of the proper lengthito hold the valve2 8 firmly on its seat; When the operator is again ready to leave'theenginaand wishes to render the deviceoperative, he simply removes this collar. y Referring now" to Figured, the main difference in the manner of connecting the deviceinto the: cooling systemliesm the'fact thatthe engine err-- haust gases are passed olirectly into the chamber l3 through a tube 44; and thefpressure created by the gases within the chamber l3, and by their passage into andout of-the chamber l2 is-utilized to raise and maintain'the valve head 25 a raised position. The gases pass from thechamber 12 directly into the engine mufiier 4301' to the atmosphere-if preferred. With-this type of con nection; water from the-cooling system-[never e'nterseitherof the chambers 12 or I3, Water is drawn through the 5 two chambers l4 and "I5; into the pump 35, forced into theengine water jacket, and back to theta-11k 3'l'through'the tube 46. In this "embodiment the nunieralflfl designates the engine as a whole) the "numeral 68' designates a tube 'which connects the pump intake with the chamber 15-, the numeral 49' designates a tube or pipe'which connects the pump exhaust with the engine'water jacket; and the numeral 56 designates a pipe or "tube which connects the-water tankwiththechainber I4: The automaticoperation er the device is s ub stantially the same-as previously described with regard to the Figure fi'type connection; When the engine stops the valve stem drops, the valve 24 seats and the valve '28 opens, draining the entire cooling system with of the reservoir or tank- 3'l'. 3i 7 l While I have described and illustrated a specific Lembodir'nent of my invention, I am aware that changes'and alterations may be made therein without transcending theihvention', and I donot wish to be limited except by the prior art and bythe scope of the appended claims. 1 i

Iclaimz =1; An, automatic drain for liquid circulating systems comprisingz a casing having four chambers thereim-valve controlled ports; alfording liquid flow from theffirst into thesecond andfrom the third into the fourth ofsaid four chambers; co-actingcheck valves for said ports;

an inlet 'opening for eiachjof said first and third chambers; an outlet fopening for each-of: said second 'and fourth chambers; an-inwardly opening check-valve in the bottom wall of said second chamber; operative connections between the last mentioned check valve and the co-acting valves for forcing said last mentioned check valve to open when the other two valves seat, and vice versa; means for manually closing the check valve in the bottom of said second chamber thus opening the other two valves; said device adapted we am-m to-be connected in a liquidcirculating system so" that liquid flows through the first, second, third; and fourth chambers {in theorder named, the continuous-flow of liquid from the third chamber througnasyawe controlled port into the fourth chamber ad pted to maintain the two co-acting valvesin anopen position. V

hn-fautomatic drain for liquid circulatings s ms emr i i i' a l h n ur c mbers therein; valve controlled ports affording liquid flow from'the first into the-second, and from the third into the fourth of said four chainbers; c o-a cting check valves for saidports; an inlet ripening foreach of saidfirst and th i rdf chambers; anoutlet-0pening for each of said second and fourth chambers; an inwardly open ing check valve in the bottom wall of saidsecondchamber; an" opentube affording drainage of liquid from said third chamber into saidsecend chamberyoperative'connections between the last mentioned'checkvalve and the co-acting valves for foreing said last mentioned check valve to open 'when the dthertwo valves-seat; and "vice versarmeans for manually closing'the check valve inthe bottom of said second chamberthus opening-theother-two valves; said device-adapt ed to beconnected inaliquid circulating system softhat liquid flows through the first, "second; third, and fourth 'charnbersin theorder named; the-continuous {flow of liquid from the third chamber through its valve controlled portinto the fourth chamber'a'dapted 'to -maintain" the two coi-a'cting-valves in'an open position. i An automatic drain for liquid circulating systems "comprising za casinghaving two pairsof aligned superimposed chambermwalve controlled ports connecting each-end pair of chambers; s'tem"' connected simultaneously acting jcheck valves for said portsia fluidinlet foreach of the 'twdins'ide-or adjacent chambers? a fluid outletffor each-of the two outside or endcham' bers j a-tube connecting the-lowermost ones of each p'air of said chambersonly; an inwardly opening p'ressure closed check valve in the'lower' mostcha'mber fcr draining liquidfrom the open j ly-intercom1nunicating chambers; operative coirnections between the stem connecting-said two first rnentionedcheck valves and the-last mentioned check valve whereby" when a the 'two firs't mentioned check valvesare seated the last-men ticned check valve is held open, andviceversai 4. A device ror automatically draining liquid from the cooling -syste'mof a liquid cooled engine when' the engine stops running which cooling systems" include a 'hollow' jacket for theengine cylinders, a liquid 'circulatingpump} and a'liq'uid reservoir or ra'diator', said device comprising: a first chamber-"in communication with said reservoir; L an 'inw'ardly opening check valve for con trolling-the flow of; liquid out of: said first chairiber'; asec'o-nd chamber into which liquidis permitted to flow whensaid-check valve is open, said second chamber -being in open communication with the intake of said pump; a third chamber in open communication with the discharge of saidpuin'p,-'said "third chamber having 'a valve restricted portaffordingcormnun-ication witha fourth i chamber; an I outwardly opening valve forclosely restricting the port in said third chamber; a fourth chamber into which said port and said valve open, said fourth chamber being in open communication with the jacket of the engine; a stem connecting both of said valves for forcing them to open and close simultaneously; an inwardly opening check valve in the bottom wall of said second chamber adapted to drain the chamber when the valve is open; operative connections between the stem which carries the two first mentioned check valves and the last mentioned check valve for forcing the two coacting valves to open when the said last mentioned check valve closes, and vice versa; means for manually closing said last mentioned check valve; an open drain tube connecting said second and third chambers; and a pipe for conducting liquid from said jacket to said reservoir.

5. A device for automatically draining liquid from the cooling system of a liquid cooled enginewhen the engine stops running, which cooling system include a hollow jacket for the engine cylinders, a liquid circulating pump, and a liquid reservoir or radiator, said device comprising: a first chamber in communication with said reservoir; an inwardly opening check valve for controlling the flow of liquid out of said first chamber; a second chamber into which liquid may flow from said first chamber when said check valve is open, said second chamber being in open communication with the intake of said pump; a pipe aifording liquid flow from said pump into said jacket; a pipe affording liquid flow from said jacket back to said reservoir; a third chamber in open communication with the exhaust manifold of said engine, said third chamber having a valve restricted port affording communication with a fourth chamber; an outwardly opening check valve for closely restricting the port in said third chamber, said valve adapted to open and remain open in response to pressure created in said third chamher by the discharge of gases thereinto from said engine; a fourth chamber into which said port and its valve open, said fourth chamber having an outlet for the gases which enter it from said third chamber; a stem connecting both of said valves for forcing them to open and close simultaneously; an inwardly opening check valve in the bottom wall of said second chamber adapted to drain liquid therefrom when the valve is open; operative connections between the stem which carries the two first mentioned check valves and the last mentioned check valve for forcing the two co-acting valves to open when the said last mentioned check valve closes, and vice versa; and

means for manually closing said last mentioned check valve.

6. An automatic drainage device for the cooling system of a liquid cooled engine, which cooling systems include a hollow jacket for the engine cylinders, a liquid circulating pump, and a liquid reservoir or radiator, said device comprising: a casing having four chambers; valve controlled ports affording communication between the first and second chambers and between the third and fourth chambers; co-acting check valves for said ports; an inwardly opening check valve in the bottom wall of said second chamber; operative connections between the last mentioned check valve and the other two check valves for forcing the said last mentioned check valve to open when the other two valves seat, and vice versa; a tube affording communication between said second and third chambers; a pipe affording liquid flow from said liquid reservoir into said first chamber; a pipe affording liquid flow from said second chamber to the intake of said pump; a pipe afiording liquid flow from the exhaust of said pump into said third chamber; a pipe affording liquid flow from said fourth chamber into said jacket; a pipe afiording liquid flow from said jacket into said reservoir; and means for manually closing the check valve in the bottom of said second chamber and simultaneously opening said other two check valves; the discharge of liquid from said pump flowing from said third chamber into said fourth chamber adapted to act on the bottom of one of said valves and to thereby hold both of said valves open so long as the engine is operating.

7. A device for automatically draining liquid from the cooling system of a liquid cooled engine whenthe engine stops running, which cooling systems include a hollow jacket for the engine cylinders, a liquid circulating pump, and a liquid reservoir or radiator, said device comprising: a casing having four chambers; valve controlled ports afiordlng communication between the first and second and between the third and fourth of said chambers; co-acting valves for said ports; an inwardly opening check valve in the bottom wall of said second chamber; operative connections between the last mentioned check valve and the other two check valves for forcing said last mentioned check valve to open when the other two valves seat, and vice versa; a drain tube affording communication between said second and third chambers; a pipe affording liquid flow from said reservoir into said first chamber; a pipe affording liquid flow from said second chamber to the intakeof said pump; a pipe affording liquid flow from the discharge of said pump to said jacket; a pipe aifording liquid flow from said jacket back to said reservoir; a pipe for conducting the exhaust gases from said engine into said third chamber; and an outlet opening in said fourth chamber opposite its valve controlled port; the exhaust gases from said engine passing from said third chamber through its port into said fourth chamber adapted to act on the bottom of the valve controlling that port and to thus open and maintain in an open position both of said co-acting valves.

8. An automatic drain for liquid circulating systems comprising: a casing having a pair of liquid receiving chambers and a ,pair of liquid discharging chambers, each of the latter being adjacent and in communication respectively with one of said receiving chambers; normally closed co-acting valves for the two passageways which afford communication between each receiving chamber and its adjacent discharge chamber; a pressure closed drain valve in one of said discharge chambers; operative connections between one of said co-acting valves and said drain valve for forcing said drain valve to open when said co-acting valves seat, and for maintaining it in an open position so long as said co-acting valves remain seated; said co-acting valves adapted to be opened and to be held open by maintained liquid pressure in one of said receiving chambers.

CLYDE A. SHOPE. 

